The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-11-03
LITTLE JENNIE.
Hcw She Followed Old Brindlo
Into the Swamps.

It was just five o'clock. Far away
over the prairies the great golden sun
was beginning to rise. As he showed
his friendly old face above the trees
tnat grow ca the ridge as far away as
the eve could reach. the mist that hung
over the river slunk away. and trees
and grass giistened with the heavy dew
drops. Here and there feecy white
clouds were flying swiftly before the
dazzling rays Of light as if afraid of
scosching their wings by fluttering too
near the great lamp Of day. while the
clear blue sky cncirclcd the earth In
tender embrace and the rivers and the
plains and the far-away mountains re-
spondcd with radiant smile. As the
sun rose higher. the little mission sta
ton on the bank Of the smoothly-fow-
ing river began to awake, From the
low little adobe homes appeared one
By one the tall Indians. with their
straight black hair falling roughly
about their dark faces. The little
children gathered in groups and talked
in lew, cultural tones of the coming
day. and the women stood for moment
IN the doorways and then silently dis
appeared within.
At The mission house there was a stir,
and the tidy Indian girls moved briskly
about preparing the morning meal.
Not far away stood a group Of children,
and they ali looked up and smile
broke over their dusty faces, as .
go!den-Laired little girl. with bright
blue eyes and soft white skin. tripped
dowa tho steps and joined them. How
strangely shs looked. the little pale
face. among those Indian children!
They thought her = child Of the sun,
crowned with bit of her great fathers
glory, while she. with all her heart,
wished that she had black hair as they
ha6. that could be braided in long
straight braids instead Of twisting about
ones fingers in such ridiculous way.
She felt no fear Of them. as child un-
used to their stolid looks and ways
would. They were the only companions
OF her own ago that she had ever known,
aOj to her their faces were friendly.
their manners natural. II there was
any one strange and unlike others. it
was she. for was she not the only one
with white skin among thsm allP OF
csarsc her father and mother were not
SO dark as the Indians; but long years
Of exposure to the glaring light and
rarching winds Of the plains had made
thsnl resemble the people among whom
tkay had lived and toiled. much more
than the little girl who had only had
fonr years in all her life.
Sac saw one Of the girls from the
house come down the steps carrying q
bucket. and she followed her to where
the old cow. Brindlc, stood, patiently
waiting to be MIXED. Sho never tired
Of standing by old Brindle. who chewed
her cud in quiet contentmcnt. while a
stream Of fragrant milk poured steadily
into the bucket.
Sarah. where does the cow get the
milk?" she asked.
Sarah smiled as she replied:
''She must get it down by the river,
Jennie, where she stays all day. TO,
she always brings it home with her.
Il never saw any down there. did
sou, Sarah." asked Jennie in wonder
20, no, Jennie; but cows see things
we don't. l guess" Aud Sarah.
bright eyes twinkled mischieyously,
.E.ut come, now, it's time for break.
fast"
She rose from her stool and lifted
The bucket Of foaming milk, while
Brindlc, with an air of satisfaction
commenced to nibble tho short gras.
about her.
Jennie came out after breakfast JUS
rs the COW was walking slowly of to
ward the river.
Il wonder if she does get it dowr
there" she said to herself, as she stood
thoughtfu.ly watching her move ava,
among the trees. I'm going to see.
And she trotted along IS fast IS sh.
could 90 to catch up with the COW.
1t was busy time at the house, ant
no one noticed the little figure under
the big pink sunbonnet, in whose cav
ernous depths might be seen an cage,
little face, If one stopped down ant
looked closely. No one noticed her a
she marched straight into the wood
and soon disappeared among the dens'
underground.
Brindle walked slowly along. pausinl
here and there as some particular,
tender bit Of grass caught her eye. AM
the old cracked bell beat time with tn
rhythmic motion of her head. On sh
went, deeper aud deeper into the forest
little Jennie following close after. Sh
paused once to watch little gray squir
rel running nimbly up and down tn
long limbs OF tree. and as he archc,
his tail over his back and sat upon hi
launches to crack al acorn, he locke,
SO slyly out Of his funny little eyes a
the quiet little figure standing by. tha
she laughed aloud with delight. ]
blackbird balancing itself OH = tall eide
bush. whistled blithcly to her as sh
passed, and farther on she stopped an
picked up tiny hop-toad that crosse
her path. The old cow was los